Deadly Fungus Hits Joplin, Missouri Injured Tornado Survivors

First Joplin Missouri is hit by a devastating EF-5 tornado in May leaving over one hundred and forty dead with several thousand injured and now the volunteers, including the health care workers who have come to help and the wounded are facing a deadly fungus. At this time there have been at least nine cases reported.

This very aggressive fungus which is called Zygomycosis enters the body through the various wounds on the body and causes the death of the infected cells. So far 3 or 4 people who should have survived the wounds caused by injuries of the tornado have died from this fungus.
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If this fungus gets into a wound on a limb amputation may be necessary to save the patient. Unfortunately, if this deadly fungus gets into wounds near the head, it was a death sentence because once the brain tissue and cells starts to die, it is too late to save the patient.

This infection spreads through the blood, affecting the blood circulation so it is unknown just how many people are suffering from this type of infection or deadly fungus. The wounded are not the only ones in danger from this deadly fungus. The volunteers who are helping to clean up after the tornado are at risk for contacting this deadly fungus if they get scratched by splinters or nails where the fungus is residing.

Some of the severe symptoms of this fungus infection are headache, fever, swelling, and sinus pain. Complications can include nerve damage, blood clots to the lungs and brain, and blindness.

Dr. Uwe Schmidt, a specialist in infectious diseases at Freeman Health System in Joplin, said he has treated five patients with an invasive fungal infection known as zygomycosis, which they likely contracted from soil or debris that came into contact …

The updated death toll from the May 22 twister includes at least three hospital patients who became infected with zygomycosis (zy’-goh-my-KOH’-sihs), a severe fungal infection that can occur when soil gets under the skin. Chappel says it is difficult …

The updated death toll from the May 22 twister includes at least three hospital patients who became infected with zygomycosis, a severe fungal infection that can occur when soil gets under the skin. Chappel says it is difficult to identify the …

Schmidt said his hospital treated five Joplin tornado victims for the infection, known as zygomycosis (zy’-goh-my-KOH’-sihs). Jacqueline Lapine, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said the department has received …